Karnataka HC Deliberates on MUDA Scam CBI Probe
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Synopsis
The Karnataka High Court has reserved judgment on a petition for a CBI investigation into the MUDA scam, involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife. The court has directed the ongoing Lokayukta investigation to continue while awaiting the final decision.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka High Court has reserved its judgment regarding the MUDA scam investigation.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife are implicated in the allegations.
- The petitioner seeks a CBI probe instead of a Lokayukta investigation.
- Arguments were presented by several prominent counsels.
- ED has served notices to involved parties.
Bengaluru, Jan 27 (NationPress) The Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court, presided over by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, has reserved its judgment on Monday concerning the petition that calls for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. This decision came after both sides presented their arguments and counterarguments during the proceedings.
In this case, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been identified as the primary accused, with his spouse, B.M. Parvathi, named as the second accused. Allegations suggest that Siddaramaiah exercised his political influence to secure compensation for 14 plots in his wife’s name, in return for 3 acres and 16 guntas of land taken over by the MUDA.
The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, expressed discontent with the ongoing investigation led by the Karnataka Lokayukta and has requested that the CBI take over the inquiry.
While the bench reserved its decision, it instructed the Karnataka Lokayukta to persist with its investigation into the MUDA scam and to provide a further report on the judgment day.
Legal experts have noted that with the involvement of six prominent attorneys who presented their cases and cited Supreme Court rulings, the bench is likely to take about a week to render its decision.
Counsel Maninder Singh, representing petitioner Snehamayi Krishna, asserted on Monday that an investigation into the MUDA scam by the CBI or an independent agency is essential to maintain public confidence.
He underscored the necessity of an independent investigation when high-ranking officials face accusations.
Singh argued, “The entire Cabinet has decided to shield Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this matter.”
“From the beginning, there has been a call to transfer the case to the CBI. This matter warrants investigation by the CBI or another independent body. There have been instances where the Supreme Court has directly allocated cases to the CBI,” he added.
Singh further contended that CM Siddaramaiah should have voluntarily welcomed a CBI investigation.
Conversely, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty requested additional time to present arguments opposing the petition. He also sought for the case to be revisited later, once the court resumes after the vacation.
However, the bench denied this request, instructing the AG to proceed with the arguments promptly. The AG sought time for counsel Kapil Sibal to appear before the court.
The bench, nonetheless, stated that the arguments could be presented via video conferencing. The AG then claimed a technical issue with the video system, following which the bench ordered the problem to be resolved and for the arguments to be presented that very day.
Senior Counsel Dushyanth Dave, representing the fourth accused, landowner J. Devaraju, in the MUDA case, stated that his client is not facing any criminal charges, and thus, a CBI probe is unnecessary. He further claimed that the petition was filed to embarrass Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“The petitioner previously sought a Lokayukta investigation in court, and when that probe was underway, he submitted a petition for a CBI inquiry. The court should not waste any time on this petition,” he argued, adding that the petitioner had concealed several crucial facts related to the case.
“The petitioner has hidden the order of mutation and documents from the revenue department, which confirm that Devaraju was the legal owner of the property,” Dave stated.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Lokayukta submitted an investigation status report concerning the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam to the Dharwad bench of the High Court on Monday.
Mysuru Lokayukta Superintendent of Police T.J. Udesh presented the report in a sealed envelope to the court, which had previously mandated the Lokayukta to submit this report without fail.
Commenting on the proceedings, Snehamayi Krishna remarked, “I am fully confident that the case will be assigned to the CBI. The Lokayukta is not conducting the investigation properly. We have provided evidence and documents showing collusion between Lokayukta officials and the accused.”
“In light of rampant corruption and based on the evidence and documents provided, we are hopeful that the court will today assign the case to the CBI,” she added.
When questioned about rumors suggesting that CM Siddaramaiah and his wife Parvathi might receive a clean slate in the Lokayukta investigation, Snehamayi Krishna stated: “I do not have official information regarding this. I learned of it through the media. It is impossible to clear CM Siddaramaiah of charges. We have submitted ample documentation to substantiate the allegations against him.”
In a related development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has served a notice to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife B.M. Parvathi, who is the second accused in the MUDA scam.
The ED has also issued a notice to Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, a close associate of CM Siddaramaiah.
Reports indicate that the ED has summoned CM’s wife Parvathi to appear before its officials on January 28 (Tuesday). Minister Suresh has also been called to appear before the ED agents.
Subsequently, CM’s wife Parvathi and Minister Suresh have approached the Karnataka High Court to contest the summons issued by the ED.
